Hi, 

We have recently got a lab puppy (now 6 months old) and already have a 13 year old golden retriever. The retriever is sadly on his 'last legs' and is not expected to live much longer. The puppy is very well behaved and gets on extremely well with the retriever, and when he passes away, we  would like to get another puppy. When is the best time to do this? I have read elsewhere that you are better waiting until the puppy is at least over 12 months (get the adolecent stage out the way!), however I am worried as the pup has never been without another dogs company and so may not cope well on his own. Any suggestions?

You must go with YOUR OWN decisions. I having put a post on here not long ago was totally put down for thinking of getting another puppy just yet.  I am in the same situation as you one old dog and an 8month old pup.  I have gone with my own instincts and looking for another puppy at the mo.

I was totally bombarded by people telling me NO NO No!!!! on this site. So you have been warned.
You know your own dogs and no one else does so please go with your own instincts and if you have the time, effort and the love to give all 3 dogs then go for it!!!!!

People told me I should let the old dog life its life out in peace etc but if the pup is well behaved it may or may not need company when the other one goes.  My old dog puts the younger one in its place and she respects that and I hope the young dog will do this to the puppy when I have eventually found one.

Good luck and take all the comments that are about to hit the screen with a pinch of salt and at the end of the day it is your decision and it is only YOU that know your own dogs.

Thanks.
It has not affected the old dog at all getting the pup as he puts him in his place when need be but the pup seems to know when to give him some space. I would leave getting a puppy until he actually goes though as I think 2 pups may be too much for him (and for me!), but he is not too long off this in all fairness. Its a big decision and dont want to get it wrong...don't want to put pressure on the current pup to act as an 'older teacher' to the youngest when he's still young himself, but I like the dogs having canine company and would like another dog to fill the large gap that will be created when the old man goes. Tough decision.

Yes, it is a tough decision. For what it's worth I think you're doing the right thing in waiting till your oldie's passed on before you have the natural chaos that a new puppy entails, in case your youngster reverts to 'naughty puppy' phase again and the old one gets accidentally knocked about and distressed.

After that it's a question of playing it by ear. You may find that your youngster benefits from some time as being an only dog - the one-to-one can be very beneficial, not only in training terms but also bonding, which will make life easier when you do decide to get another pup. I've found it's been best for me to wait until each dog is trained to a level I'm happy with, regardless of its age, before getting a new pup. My first two dogs had a six-month age gap between them, because the first had been so easy to train. Then we waited 8 years before we were ready for another pup!

Good luck in whatever you decide.
:)

I have to admit that I was one of the 1st people to reply negatively to Bella.  But I actually did changed my opinion in Bella's case, (not something I am prone to do).  ;) There are many differences of opinions in situations like these. Bella has had the experience of owning pups of similar ages and therefore I would consider her experience if I was homing one of my pups, and personally would not have a problem with it.  But in the case of the op on this thread, I have a completely different view.  The op of this thread, as far as I am aware has NOT had the exeperience of two pups together, so therefore a completely different situation.

Bella, Nikki-deee has said they intend waiting until the old dog has passed away.  I presume as they have come on the forum to ask opinions that are not happy to just make their own decision and are looking for guidance from others with experience.

Nikki-deee as I supsect you realise from your comment life is a lot easier without 2 dogs still very much in the training stage :)  I have always overlapped my dogs so inevitably I have had a singleton that has been used to living as two (if you follow me) In my experience if you have been rearing the youngster with lots of training etc they will be pretty much focused on you and I think you might be surprised to find they do not pine for the old one as much as you will.  I would play it by ear but I think you will find most people have found it easier to achieve 2 well mannered dogs if the first one has reached a good level of maturity :)

It is a shame that when I asked the same question I was bombarded with negative comments, not opinions which is what I asked for in the first place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought that you were advised that it might be kinder to do as this person's doing, and wait till your oldie had passed away. Maybe I read it all wrong though.

i dont mean to be rude but the poor dog hasn't even passed away yet!  i know you are thinking of the pup but the pup should be okay on his own, and you would bond better making your relationship very strong, which would be best before the new pup comes along, it will make your dogs character stronger as he will have to cope with life on his own, which will make him a very well rounded dog then introduce another one.

Good luck Frank

Thanks for all your comments. I do feel bad taking about the retriever passing away when he's still here, but you have to be prepared for things that are inevitable and I would rather know what is best to do in the future now, rather than make decisions on inpulse when he goes (well, not so much on impulse but decisions that may be clouded by losing the dog...as emotions do tend to take over after the loss of a beloved dog). On reflection I feel it may be better to wait until the pup is a little older, bonding us closer and also lessen the chance of him passing on any bad habits to the new pup! :-)

I know what you mean by cloud decisions i make them all the time. ha ha

Good luck with your dogs Frank

Bella you were bombarded with the answers to your question that you didn't want, does not make the advice wrong, and in fact shows that in the vast majority of peoples experience it is not a good idea to have two pups together be they littermates, different litters or just close in age.

For evey one case where no problems are encountered there are lots where the owner fails to cope or the dogs start to fight sometimes several years down the line and then breeders or resue folk have to pick up the pieces. :D

Why ask for advice and then complain about being bombarded with it????

??????????????????????  People tend to get to get on their high horse and can't seem to get off  at the right time, and I have the opinion on here that every one is right and no one wants to be wrong.  Obviously the same in the dog world as in the horse world so I seem to be surrounded!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Bella i grew up on horses and i didn't find people were like that, it's how you look at it yourself, if you are going to ask questions you are going to get answers whether you like what people say your you dont, just take what you need and leave the rest, as for horses and dogs you never stop learning.

>I have the opinion on here that every one is right and no one wants to be wrong.

Yep! All of us - and that includes you too! After all, you're one of us! ;)
:)

hi
I am not an expert on this but I would say see how you feel after your dog has passed away. I lot my dog in March very suddenly and I have an older staffie who was very lost without his friend for the first few weeks and even now, he still looks round for him, but copes well. I didn't feel that getting another dog was right for me as I had to mourn the loss of my boy. 8 weeks on though I feel differently and have a pup coming to me at the end of June.
Having 2 pups would be very hard work but if you have the time and patience, then I would go for it but get one of the opposite sex (thats what I was advised).
Hope your retreiver does not suffer too much at the end.
My thoughts are with you.
Sarah

We have the same problem now as one of the cavaliers who lives with my friend died suddenly leaving the other one who lives with her alone(he is not a puppy) We have now to make the decision as to whether we get another dog & if so should we get a cavalier ? We are lucky in thet the remaining dog is used to coming to me to stay & going out with our next youngest, so he is coming here more often so he is not on his own so much.

It is hard gauging when after the other dog has gone is the right time also whether or not the puppy is ready for another puppy to divide your attention with & whether or not he is mature enough not to have a rivalry between them develop

We will not be rushing into anything & it may be months before we are able to have another dog & have found the right one, this is further complicated by the fact I am getting another BC this year & will I have enough time to train two ?